Broncos earn high praise for drafting Iowa cornerback Riley Moss
Thanks to the Russell Wilson trade, the Denver Broncos were left with limited options entering the 2023 NFL Draft. However, with Sean Payton now running the show, everyone knew the organization was more than capable of maximizing the situation – it just needed time to play out. Sure enough, the Broncos head coach hit some […]
Thanks to the Russell Wilson trade, the Denver Broncos were left with limited options entering the 2023 NFL Draft. However, with Sean Payton now running the show, everyone knew the organization was more than capable of maximizing the situation – it just needed time to play out.
Sure enough, the Broncos head coach hit some home runs during draft weekend. As a result, the Broncos draft has been deemed a success by many of the top dogs in the sports media business.
And there's one draft pick in particular that really has them talking.
ESPNs Todd McShay praised Denver for their selection of Riley Moss during the draft, highlighting him as the Broncos' best value pick. Before the pick, Denver had traded up, giving up pick No. 108 and a 2024 third-round pick for the No. 83 overall pick in which they drafted the Iowa cornerback. The front office loaded up with five drafted prospects. McShay gushed over the Moss decision.
It's tough to really nail a draft when you have five picks and nothing before No. 63 (which Denver had to trade up to get on Friday night). The pick that stood out most to me was Moss, a 6-foot-1, 193-pound cornerback. Pat Surtain II is of course a star locking down one of the Broncos' cornerback spots, but opposite him? Denver is looking for answers. So I can get behind a ball hawk at No. 83.
Moss totaled 11 interceptions and 23 pass breakups over his five seasons at Iowa. He's a little tight, but he has the speed to turn and run with pass-catchers and the instincts to read the QB in zone looks. His frame allows him to compete with big receivers, but I could see him moving inside to a nickel role. Maybe he kicks back to safety, too, where Kiper has him projected. Regardless, Moss has the traits to really help this defense.
Moss enjoyed a successful college career that resulted in him being a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection along with the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year. Moss will be looking to compete for playing time with fellow cornerbacks Essang Bassey, K'Waun Williams, Damarri Mathis, and Patrick Surtain II.
When the dust settles and the smoke clears we will get a much better idea if the Broncos' front office had a successful draft. For now, the Moss selection is yet another reason to be excited and hopeful for the upcoming season. It honestly can't get much worse than what happened last year.
